Files open in Microsoft Edge, not Acrobat Pro

Question

Background:

I reset my computer to factory settings, reinstalled Acrobat Pro and set Acrobat Pro to open .pdf files. The .pdf files opened in Acrobat Pro. But after my computer restarted, they began to open in Microsoft Edge and still do.

Here is how I tried to resolve this:

1. In Edge, I navigated to Settings > Cookies and site permissions > PDF documents and disabled "Always download PDF files" and "PDF view settings."

2. An Adobe representative suggested that in PDF documents I "toggle the switch to On for Always open PDF files externally." I looked for and did not see the switch.

3. Another Adobe representative suggested that I follow the steps in a Microsoft help page to "[r]ight-click on any .PDF file; Select Open with > Choose another app; Select Adobe Reader and check " Always use this app to open .pdf files." I right-clicked on two .pdf files and did not see "Open with."

4. The Microsoft help page also included steps to "Press Windows key + i and go to Accounts; Click Input Options; Scroll down to the Restart apps section and check the options: Automatically save my restartable apps when I sign out and restart them after I sign in" and "Use my sign-in information to finish setting up my device after an update and restart." In Settings in Windows 11, I navigated to Accounts > Sign-in options and enabled "Automatically save my restartable apps and restart them when I sign back in."

Assistance would be welcomed.

Thank you!

__J_K__ · Accepted Answer

Dear Dave and Bernd:

I was able to access "Open with" via File Explorer and followed the instructions above to "Select Open with > Choose another app; Select Adobe Reader and check "Always use this app to open .pdf files." However, I did not see "Always use this app to open .pdf files." Instead, I saw "Always," which seems to apply to just one file.

I regularly receive .pdf files via email and wish to open them in Acrobat Pro.

Thank you!

Dear Akanchha, Dave and Bernd:

I think I found a solution!

As indicated, I previously navigated in Edge to Settings > Cookies and site permissions > PDF documents and disabled "Always download PDF files" and "PDF view settings." I did this because .pdf files were opening in Edge so I reversed the existing settings.

I have now enabled "Always download PDF files" and "PDF view settings" and .pdf files are opening in Acrobat Pro!

As indicated, I previously reinstalled Acrobat Pro and set Acrobat Pro to open .pdf files. Yet somehow that setting was lost.

Thank you!

AkanchhaS8194121 · Answer

Hi @__J_K__

Sorry to hear about the trouble caused. We appreciate that you have tried all the possible solutions first.

Surprised to hear why you did not find the "Open with" option when right-clicking on the .pdf file.

Would you mind sharing the screenshot of right-click menu that you see at your end?

Also, what is the exact version of Acrobat and OS installed at your end? Open Acrobat>right click>About Acrobat.

Try uninstalling and reinstalling the Acrobat application once.

Run this cleaner tool to remove the existing installer and application’s files traces:

https://www.adobe.com/devnet-docs/acrobatetk/tools/Labs/cleaner.html

Download the Acrobat installer from here:

https://helpx.adobe.com/acrobat/kb/acrobat-dc-downloads.html

Install the latest Windows update.
If it still doesn't help, then try creating a Hidden Admin account on Windows and check if you can make the default PDF viewer as Acrobat Pro

Thanks,

Akanchha

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